Kanagawa (2016) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Kanagawa is a beautiful board game designed by Bruno Cathala and Charles Chevallier, published by IELLO in in 2016. The game is set in the Kanagawa prefecture of Japan and features stunning artwork by Jade Mosch. With a mix of hand management, drafting, pattern building, push your luck, and set collection mechanics, Kanagawa offers a unique gaming experience for 2 to 4 players.

Game Components of Kanagawa

Board

Lesson Cards

Diplomas

Storm tokens

Starting tiles

Brush tokens

Grand Master and Assistant pawns

Cards for studio and print.

How To Setup Kanagawa

To set up Kanagawa, lay out the board within reach of all players. Shuffle the Lesson Cards and place them into a stack near the board. Set out the diplomas, categorizing them as “stuff in your painting” and “stuff in your studio.” Each player receives a Starting tile and two Brush tokens. Choose a player to go first and give them the Grand Master and Assistant pawns. Set the Storm tokens aside or place them on the diplomas with their picture.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Card Drafting

Hand Management

Pattern Building

Press Your Luck

Set Collection.

Game Objective

Players aim to create the most beautiful painting by managing cards in their studio and print.

The game ends when a player has 11 or more cards in their print or when the Lesson Card deck is depleted.

Each round involves drawing Lesson Cards, taking cards from the studio to add to the print, and following specific rules for card placement.

Player Experience

Kanagawa offers a delightful and strategic gaming experience. The game is particularly enjoyable with three players, as it avoids the less interesting card selection of two players and the potential for being disadvantaged by leftover cards in a four-player game. The gameplay involves a nice tension between choosing cards for your studio or your print, each with its own benefits and limitations.

Pros

Beautiful Artwork: The game features gorgeous artwork reminiscent of Tokaido.

Cool Pieces: Brush tokens, pawns, and tiles are well-designed.

Card Variety: Cards offer diverse benefits, adding to the game’s strategy.

Diploma Rule: An interesting scoring mechanism that adds depth to the game.

Cons

Portability: Not as portable as some other games like Coloretto.

Necessary Hate-Drafting: Players must sometimesdraft cards to prevent opponents from gaining significant advantages.

Personal Thoughts on Kanagawa

Kanagawa is ideal for those who enjoy strategic card drafting and pattern building games. While it may not be as portable as some other games, it offers a unique and visually appealing experience. The game is well-suited for players who appreciate a mix of social strategy and individual planning, making it a great addition to any board game collection.

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